Where's Puff??

[Bibette & Lulu]

Okay - I need some help. Puff's been in the house now since 9 PM on Saturday. She found her place in our den and has been pretty much sleeping since she arrived. I set her up with food, water and a cat box right next to her futon bed. I know she will eat the dry food (we use Science Diet) as I saw her chowing down outside on Saturday, before we brought her in. I expect that her pevious owner pretty much put her out for most of the day and brought her in at night - so she's probaly used to doing her business outside. We, however, prefer our cats to be indoors and I haven't been too happy with the large garden that's our backyard being her personal litter box!!! She wandered out of her little refuge this morning (got Bitty's hackles up in the process [Bits went to the time out room for a spell]) - wandered to the back door, looking out and checking back with me - then she checked out the living room before heading back to her spot on the futon. Reminded her about the food - but she just curled up and went back to sleep.

Contacted the White Coats House, but no appt available until 10:30 Wednesday that doesn't conflict with other appointments we already have.

Guess it's a wait and see. She's on pretty high alert when I sit down to pet her, watching the door to see if one of the other furkids is going to come in. But she's purring and generally seems content.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks. B&L's Mom2

[Catty1]

You can try the kitten training thing - put her in the litterbox, take hold of her front paws and make scratching motions in the litter with them. Hopefully she'll get the idea. She may not know she can "go" in the house.

[cassiesmom]

She's beautiful! Prayers that either she will be a purr-fect sister for Bibette and Lulu, or another ideal home will b e found for her.

Edited to add: Cassie didn't take anything in or put anything out the first couple of days she was home with me. She just hid under the love seat (where she still likes to take a nap!).

[Bibette & Lulu]

Okay - now she's been eating some of the dry food I gave her . We're getting somewhere. Stopped to get some more cat food and picked up a bed and a toy for her - she immediately moved onto the bed and snuggled right in. Toy - well, it's there. Bibette, on the other hand, was a little bent out of shape when she smelled the catnip in the air and wanted to check out the to -- NOT A GOOD IDEA. A bit too close to the growling "monster." So I gave her some of her own loose catnip and put it on her ball and scratch toy (the one pictured in our avatar). Tried the "kitten training thing" but nothing "out" yet.

So, we're up to 48 hours and no catastrophes and no major fisticuffs . Tomorrow is another day and we'll see what it brings.

Night, all. B&L's Mom2

[Bengalz]

She's so lovely - thank you for taking care of little Puff. I'll bet she gets quite used being loved and cared for - probably quicker than one may think It may take a little time for her to understand house rules but it will come.

When Eve first came to us, she was so tired and stressed from tearing around the neighbourhood and fending for herself, she slept and slept (usually on one of our laps). When I gave her toys to play with she ignored them until I played with her. It was then that I realized she did not know how to play she had been an outdoor cat and spent her time hunting and defending herself. She nows has a huge basketful full of toys and drags them around the whole house. At first she was protective of her toys (still is to some degree) and would spend time in the night carrying all her toys into our bedroom - she had to know where they all were and bring pressies to mom and dad

Eve was very tentative about her litterbox. She is extremely fastidious and has never had an accident in the house. But she would cry to go outside when she needed to go potty. I had to take her into her bathroom and sit and talk to her so that she knew it was OK for her to use the box. The funny thing about this ritual (Dad calls it girl time in the powder room) is when she is outdoors now and needs to go potty she runs into the house to use her litterbox then proceeds back out onto the deck to resume her wildlife vigil Smart little kitty

Aren't cats wonderful??

[Bibette & Lulu]

She's so lovely - thank you for taking care of little Puff. I'll bet she gets quite used being loved and cared for - probably quicker than one may think It may take a little time for her to understand house rules but it will come.

Aren't cats wonderful??

Thanks, Bengalz - yes, they are very wonderful!!

I certainly agree that she is recovering from her time in the garden. She really hasn't tried to get out or to insist on going out. She has a wonderful view from that window out on her former domain, but she seems content to just watch it all. She's taken a few saunters out into the living/dining room and looked out hose windows - but she just heads back to "her" room and stretches out again. She loves to be petted and is quite the purrer. When she was making her way back into the den and had to pass by the chair where Bitty was sacked out, she growled, hair down her back came up,but she lowered herself and slunk back into the den - as soon as she was through the door, she stood back up straight. Bitty watched her go by and just stayed put - 'course I was reminding both of them to mind their manners!!! The two resident cats seem to be tolerant of Mom's little project!!! She's pee'd but not poops yet.

We're off to the White Coats tomorrow and I'm anxious to get her talons trimmed - they are quite the weapons .

Ta ta for now. B&L's Mom2

[Bibette & Lulu]

We all survived the trip to the White Coats. I pulled out the heavy leather gloves and poured her into the cat carrier. Only a few peeps on the way over. A very hefty growl for the first technician who took down what information I had on her and we both decided we'd wait for Dr. Ms White Coat to do the rectal temp Dr. Ms White Coat arrived with reinforcement who donned the "falcon gloves" and they went to it. All in all, Puff behaved herself and no swipes at anyone. Since we don't know her vacination history, she's got the basics. FLV test pending. Got meds for the deworming. Checked for spaying scar which was noted. Teeth in okay shape with some tartar. General opinion is that she's about 5 years old. Hips are fine but there's some stiffening of her hind legs. No bugs on her or in her ears. Clean bill of health, at this point. Suggested I try some hair ball goo to grease the skids, so to speak - and we've had success .

Waiting for word on the FLV test and will return for Distemper booster in 3 weeks. At that time, I'll have her microchipped. So, looks like we're a 3-cat household now .

Thanks everyone for your encouragement, advice and prayers. I'll check back in a few weeks with an update thread.

B&L&P's Mom2